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Farmers Market Bounty and Recipe
One of the best things about summer is fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Cooking and preparing meals with produce that was picked just days ago makes everything taste better.
When I shop at the local farmers market, I look for my seasonal favorites and sometimes get a nice surprise–hard-to-find items, sometimes an abundance (and cheap prices) on other items, and occasionally something new.
This week’s bounty included wax beans and purple bell peppers. The beans were delicious in this new recipe I tried, so I’m happy to share it with you!
Seared Yellow Wax Beans and Arugula
4-6 Servings
Recipe adapted from Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, Jon & Vinny’s, Los Angeles, CA
Ingredients
⅓ cup olive oil
1 pound yellow wax beans, trimmed
3 shallots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Kosher salt, to taste
2 cups baby arugula
Directions
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the wax beans, shallots and garlic, and cook, tossing as needed until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon juice, thyme leaves and red pepper flakes. Season with salt. Cook until the beans are just tender, while still retaining a bite, 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the arugula leaves and cook until just wilted, 1 minute more. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Enjoy!
Fourth of July Book Binge
With communities still battling Covid-19, many traditional Fourth of July events and traditions are not an option this year. If your picnic has been nixed or your parade has been cancelled, how about celebrating with a book binge instead.
Here are a few tips and a FREE ebook to get you started.
- Pick the right books. Are you in the mood for comedy, suspense, romance or adventure? Once you decide, assemble a list of books that fit the theme.
- Get comfy. Set up your hammock or lawn chair in a shady spot. If the temps are sizzling outside, lounge around inside.
- Stock up on drinks and snacks. The idea of a book binge is that you don’t have to step away to do anything else. It’s all about reading and escaping into books. Fuel your binge with sweet and salty snacks and a few drink options.
- Hang up the Do Not Disturb sign. You might have to negotiate a few hours of ME time to thoroughly enjoy your book binge so let your family/housemates know your plans. Log off of social media, silence the phone, and spend some QT with your book friends.
Right now, An Inner Fire is free. Download a copy to start your binge list.
Grayce Walters, animal acupuncturist, harbors a secret. She hides her intuitive gifts from the world until she becomes embroiled in arson on Seattle’s waterfront.
As a key crime witness, Grayce must convince the attractive, logical, by-the-numbers fire investigator, Ewan Davis,that the fire she witnessed is part of a larger criminal conspiracy. Grayce embarks upon a mission to gather proof of the dangerous threat. She enlists the help of her cross-dressing best friend, her street-wise assistant, and Davis’ poodle, to conduct her own investigation.
As her feelings for Davis shift between white hot passion and cold fear, Grayce must risk exposing her secrets to save Davis’ life. Davis must accept things, he can neither see, nor understand to solve the mystery and finally find the love he has stopped believing in.
With nudges from the protective poodle, Grayce and Davis confront shocking betrayal and international crime on the rain soaked streets of Seattle.
If you want more contemporary romantic suspense, check out the entire Grayce Walters series, available on Amazon/Kindle Unlimited.
Have a fabulous Fourth of July!
Remembering Henny the Fire Dog
Being a writer has introduced me to many amazing people, but one of the most memorable individuals I met was Henny the Fire Dog. An active, intelligent Lab, Henny initially flunked out of training as a seeing eye dog. The ATF recruited her to become an Accelerant Detection K9.
I met Henny and her human handler while researching arson investigation for my first contemporary romantic suspense, An Inner Fire, Book 1 in the Grayce Walters series. All of the firefighters and crew at the Seattle Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit were helpful, but Henny really made an impression. She embodied all of the qualities that make working canines true heroes: energy, dedication, drive, courage and affection.
I recently learned that Henny passed way after a quiet retirement with her handler and his family. She enjoyed trips and vacations and continued to interact with people until the end.
I wanted to share Henny’s story as a reminder than many of the elements in my stories are inspired by real people, real animals and real heroes. I hope my portrayal of working canines reflects the time, talent and commitment of the men and women who train them, handle them, and ultimately, love them.
See how Henny inspired my story, An Inner Fire. The book is currently free on Amazon.
Summer is officially here - let's celebrate Seattle style!
The first day of summer is also the longest. This event is known as the summer solstice. That makes it the perfect day to celebrate everything we love about summertime.
Before kicking off the fun, here are a few facts about the summer solstice.
- The summer solstice actually kicks off summer only in the northern hemisphere. It is the unofficial beginning of winter for locations south of the equator.
- Solstices occur twice a year when the Earth’s axis is tilted most closely to the sun. The (northern) summer solstice marks the longest day of the year while the (northern) winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year. For 2019, the winter solstice will be Sunday, December 22.
- Many ancient cultures considered solstices as revered celestial events. Many celebrated the occasion with festivals, gift-giving, drinking and dancing.
In Seattle and around the world, contemporary celebrations still include food, music, dance, festivals and gatherings. Here are a few of the events happening in my hometown this weekend:
Midsommar Seattle – Celebration of Musik
Celebrate the longest day of the year Scandinavian-style with three days of music.
Summer Solstice Soundscapes
Gary Stroutsos will play flute music drawn from worldly influences during a casual reception with food and wine. Head to the lower garden for Native American songs and storytelling.
2019 Fremont Solstice Parade
A giant costume-filled parade hosted by the Fremont Arts Council which includes stilt-walking, nude bicycle-riding and giant-puppets.
Facts Source: What is the summer solstice? The answer might surprise you.
A Special Touch ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'
Grayce’s morning passed quickly—a few minor behavior problems, adjustment to a new relationship, and hairballs.
Hollie appeared at her door. “Your new client’s here.” With her pierced eyebrow arched in contempt, Hollie emphasized new like it was infected.
Grayce nodded, trying to decipher Hollie’s odd behavior. Always loving with the animals, Hollie kept a safe, cool distance from two-legged clients. Hollie didn’t look cool.
Grayce scanned her schedule. “Mr. Davis with Mitzi, a standard poodle.”
Hollie returned with the new client. Grayce stared. She blinked twice. Mr. Davis was Lieutenant Davis. Bewildered to see the fire investigator in her office after last night’s nightmare, she blurted, “Has there been another fire?”
“No, I’m a patient. I mean my dog’s a patient.”
Grayce rechecked her patient list. “Mitzi?”
His face flushed when she used Mitzi’s name. Had she gotten the name wrong? She seldom did. The black poodle’s ears perked at the mention of her name.
“Yes, Mitzi.” His face remained red as he led his dog into the room. Grayce focused on the haughty poodle, limping protectively next to her owner. There was something about the spunky dog she couldn’t grasp.
Grayce couldn’t envision the lieutenant comfortable in the overstuffed chintz treatment chair. She gestured to the chair across from her desk. “Please be seated. How can I help you…and Mitzi?”
“Mitzi was injured at the fireground,” he said.
Grayce bent on one knee, not touching the stressed dog. “Mitzi, what an amazing protector.”
She never knew where the words came from when she spoke to animals, but she knew they came from a deep part of her. She offered the words while observing the effect of her voice. Mitzi outwardly appeared calm but her eyes remained alert, watchful.
Grayce gently touched Mitzi’s head, needing to comfort, connect with the injured dog. Showers of blue sparks danced in her peripheral vision like those from an overloaded circuit. The charge flowing from the dog to her hand topped any ampere scale. Lightheaded from the power surge, Grayce forced herself upright and stepped toward the old pine table that served as her desk.
Looking across the table, she saw Davis’ concern.
“I’m fine, just got up too quickly.” She knew he didn’t buy it, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
Read more contemporary romantic suspense: An Inner Fire
